Arson Suspected In Farmhouse Fire

January 04, 1991|The Morning Call

Arson is the suspected cause of a fire that severely damaged a century-old farmhouse early yesterday in Lower Macungie Township where a barn on the same property was destroyed by arson two months ago, a fire chief said.

The 2-1/2-story brick and frame house is owned by John Rocco, a New Jersey developer, said Bill Whitehead, chief of the Wescosville Fire Company.

A neighbor who lives about a quarter of a mile away on Spring Creek Road reported the fire at 1:20 a.m., after he saw flames shooting from the roof, Whitehead said.

Firefighters from Wescosville and Trexlertown had the blaze under control by 2:45 a.m. but were on the scene until 5 a.m., inspecting interior walls to make sure the fire wouldn't rekindle itself.

Whitehead said there is no electricity in the house, which is just east of the Ancient Oak development behind the Trexler Mall. He said the structure was about 100 years old. It will have to be torn down, he said.

The fire started in a first-floor addition to the rear of the main structure, Whitehead said, and spread to the back of the second floor by the time firefighters arrived.

He said he suspects the fire was deliberately set by someone who was at the property within hours of the fire because fresh footprints and tire tracks were found going to and from the back door. Whitehead estimated the damage at $40,000.

Macungie Ambulance also responded, although no one was injured.

The property, known as the former Stein Farm, was the site of an arson in early November that destroyed a barn, Whitehead said.